(Bloomberg) — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s popularity rose, according to the latest survey, as the new government approved its version of a cash handout program.
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter earned an approval rating of 31.35% in the National Institute of Development Administration’s quarterly survey, up from 4.85% in the latest poll. The institute, a graduate school in Bangkok, conducted the poll between September 16 and 23 from every region of the country and included some 2,000 respondents.
Paetongtarn’s government, which took office earlier this month, has launched the first phase of a cash stimulus program to revive sagging growth in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. The Prime Minister said last week that there would be “much more” economic stimulus, with the next phase of cash outlay reaching around 26 million people.
The Thai leader also led relief and recovery efforts in flood-ravaged northern provinces in recent weeks. Paetongtarn said the planned increase in the minimum wage to 400 baht ($12.4) per day should be implemented within a year.
The Prime Minister said in a statement following the survey results that her government will work even harder to solve Thailand’s problems and improve the lives of its people.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the country’s main opposition People’s Party, came in second with 22.9%, according to the survey published on Sunday. The survey of potential leaders also found that 23.5% of respondents did not see “a suitable candidate” for the country’s top leadership position.
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